Australia has a proud history of success in the Olympic Games, with a total of almost 500 medals won across summer and winter sports. The country consistently ranks in the top 10 nations in the medal tally and has produced a number of superstar athletes over the years thanks to Australia’s Olympic success.
One of the most notable Australian Olympians is swimmer Ian Thorpe, who won five gold medals and set numerous world records during his career. Other swimming legends from Australia include Grant Hackett, Susie O’Neill, and Kieren Perkins, who have all won multiple Olympic medals.
Olympic Stars
In recent years, the country has seen the emergence of new stars across a range of sports. Swimmer Kyle Chalmers won gold in the 100m freestyle at the 2016 Rio Olympics at just 18 years old. Cyclist Anna Meares has won 11 Olympic medals over her career.
Another standout athlete is track and field star Sally Pearson. Pearson won gold in the 100m hurdles at the 2012 London Olympics and has also won multiple world championship titles. In addition, the Australian men’s rugby sevens team won gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The women’s team took home the bronze medal.
Looking ahead to the next Olympic Games in Paris 2024, there are several up and coming Australian athletes to watch. One is Ariarne Titmus, a swimmer who won gold and silver in the 400m freestyle at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Another is Peter Bol, a middle-distance runner who made history by becoming the first Australian man to reach an Olympic 800m final in over 50 years.
Australia’s Olympic success is thanks to a strong team across a range of sports, including rugby sevens, hockey, and sailing. With a strong tradition of success in the Modern Olympic Games, there is no doubt that Australian athletes will continue to shine on the world stage in 2024, 2028 and of course here in Brisbane 2032.